Tavis Smiley's memoir is a New York Times bestseller

Tavis Smiley grew up in a family of thirteen in a small trailer in Indiana where money was scarce and the sight of other Black faces even scarcer. He grew up feeling like an outsider because of the color of his skin, his Pentecostal religious beliefs, and his family's economic circumstances, but the love and support of his family sustained him. That trust and support was shattered when his father, in a moment of rage, beat him with an electrical cord. Placed in foster care for a time, it took Tavis years to bridge the emotional chasm between him and his parents. Nothing, however, could quench Tavis's fierce inner drive to succeed.

In the following excerpt (PDF) we meet Tavis in high school, where he first discovered his gift for public speaking and debate.

Youth Advocate Alert: Tavis to moderate "All American Presidential Forums on PBS"

On June 28, 2007, Tavis Smiley will moderate a Democratic president forum on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. which will be broadcast live in primetime on PBS. Along with Tavis, three journalists of color will pose questions to the candidates regarding the Covenant with Black America and other domestic issues. The following presidential candidates have confirmed their participation: Senator Joe Biden, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Christopher Dodd, Senator John Edwards, Senator Mike Gravel, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Senator Barack Obama and Governor Bill Richardson. Read the press release.